MUNDOMATERIAL

IntertechPira, a division of Pira International, is organising the Biopolymers Symposium 2010. The event will take place in Denver, Colorado in October. The symposium is recommended to manufacturers, brand owners, end users, innovators and policy makers. It will cover a wide range of subjects, including the following: Pioneering work on green policy in California Identification of non-food sources of raw material for resin production Market overviews from the US and Europe Regulation, labeling and marketing End of life management options Technological innovation in packaging and beyond Of particular interest to me are the sessions related to non-food sources of raw material for resin production and end of life management options. These areas could become a restraint in market growth due to negative public perceptions. Biopolymers appeal is based on environmental benefits. For biopolymers to continue growth in the medium term, the research into durable applications is a must too, as disposable... 
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A new market research, published by Frost & Sullivan, entitled “Strategic Assessment of the Bioplastics Market in Brazil and Mexico” analyzes production plans, main resins sold and applications currently in use in both countries. The study also aims at providing a look into the future for bioplastics in the region, with regards to future demand and prospective feedstocks. Brazil At the moment, production in Brazil is constraint to pilot scale. In 2009, the Bioplastics market in Brazil was composed mostly by the resins PLA, Starch-based, and PHB, representing revenues of US$ 4.4 million.However, large production scales in Brazil are expected to give a new shape to this market in the region, as for 2015, large scale production units are expected to be producing bioplastics, such as Braskem biobased polyethylene and Solvay bio-based PVC. Braskem bioplastics plant will be the largest in the world, providing to Brazil an expected CAGR of 140.7% in the period 2009-2015. Note:... 
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In early March 2010, the European Union approved a genetically mofidied potato crop to be grown in Europe, the first one since in 1998 Monsanto’s MON 810 maize was approved, which is engineered to be resistant to the European corn-borer caterpillar. The approved potato variety is Amflora, developed by BASF for industrial applications such as lubricants, sprays and animal feed. When the news came out, some people suggested that it was to be used in the production of bioplastics. I always considered a bit risky to used GMO in the production of a product that bases part of its market appeal on environmental benefits and considered that European producers of bioplastics have an advantage over producers elsewhere that do use GMO crops as feedstock. It has to be said that resistance towards GMO is mostly a European concern and that public resistance to them in other world regions is not that high. Naturally produced starch is a combination of amylose and amylopectin, both polymers of glucose.... 
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ANAIP, the Spanish trade association for plastic professionals and COFACO, a consortium of companies transforming rubber, just signed the Foundational Act of the FEITCAP or Federación Española de Industriales de la Transformación de Caucho y Plásticos. ANAIP y COFACO are two of the oldest trade associations in Spain, with 53 and 61 years of existence each. Their decision to join forces has been motivated by the need to reduce the effect of the economic downturn in one of the most important manufacturing sectors in Spain. Plastic and rubber manufacturing decreased by 17% during the first 9 months of 2009. This has to be added to the 12% drop already registered by the segment during 2008. The recently created federation, FEITCAP, represents more than 4,450 companies that directly employ 118,000 people. Its volume of business in 2008 was over 19,000 million euros, i.e 1.8% of Spanish GDP. José Antonio de la Cruz, former President of ANAIP will be the first to preside FEITCAP and José... 
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I’ve been using Twitter (@luciacd) lately and I’ve found a few interesting people there providing info about many of the topics covered here, like bioplastics and other materials.  I’ve collected a small list of twitter users, provided below with links and bios. Many are publising information about materials in a journal or in a blog, so you may want to check their sites too. Others are professionals related to the industry, like consultants, students or associations. 09-11-2009: Just a couple of days after I published this post, Twitter launched its lists, a new feature that allows users to create groups of twitterers with something in common. I’ve created one with contacts related with materials, which I’ve been updating.  You can find my materials list here. @IslemYezza: Packaging innovation and biomaterials @LucAverous: Expert in Bioplastics, Biomaterials and Biobased Materials @EuropaBio: The European Association for Bioindustries @ArgosBiotech: gateway... 
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